Banham Primary School, located in Norwich, Norfolk, has recently undergone its first inspection since becoming an academy in November 2016. The inspection took place on the 1st and 2nd of October 2024, and the school received a commendable rating of good across all key areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The headteacher, Matthew Gamble, leads the school, which is part of Co-Operative Education East, overseen by CEO Paul Bunn and a board of trustees chaired by Julie Fletcher.
The school fosters a strong sense of community, which is evident in the positive and responsible behaviour of its pupils. Students express pride in their school and demonstrate a commitment to their learning, often striving to impress their teachers. They show enthusiasm for various subjects, particularly enjoying topics such as Antarctica, the Romans, and forests. In the early years, children engage in imaginative play that supports their learning, such as a café game that helps them practice numbers and writing.
During unstructured times, pupils interact well across different year groups, displaying good manners and confidence in their conversations. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including a choir that has performed locally and opportunities for participation in sports, which contribute to the pupils' confidence and personal development.
The curriculum at Banham Primary School is generally well-structured, with knowledgeable teachers who effectively deliver subject content. The early years curriculum is particularly comprehensive, building on the children's existing knowledge and skills. Pupils generally speak positively about their subjects, and their work reflects this engagement. However, some areas of the curriculum are still in the early stages of implementation, which can affect pupils' ability to retain and apply their knowledge consistently. The school acknowledges the need to enhance opportunities for pupils to practice and extend their writing skills across all subjects, as this is currently not fully established.
Reading is prioritized at the school, with early phonics instruction helping younger pupils to grasp sounds and letters quickly. Older students typically read fluently and enjoy more challenging texts. For those who struggle, the school provides various intervention strategies to help them catch up with their peers.
The school demonstrates a robust approach to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The identification process for specific needs begins early, and tailored planning is implemented to ensure that these pupils receive the necessary support. Regular reviews of their progress against set targets are conducted, and external support is sought when needed.
Pupils at Banham Primary School show respect for one another and are polite to visitors and staff. They embrace diversity and understand the importance of treating each other equally. The personal, social, health, and economic education curriculum teaches pupils about safety, including the importance of keeping personal information secure online. They also learn about healthy eating, with younger children able to articulate the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables.
The school environment is calm, with clear routines that help pupils know what to expect during lessons and playtime. Attendance is high, and instances of persistent absence are rare, allowing pupils to benefit from the quality education provided. Pupils feel safe and trust staff to address any concerns, with bullying being reported as very rare.
Leadership at Banham Primary School is effective, with leaders accurately evaluating the school's strengths and having a clear vision for future development. Staff express positive sentiments about the school community and the support they receive regarding their well-being and workload. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school.
The inspection highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in developing opportunities for pupils to enhance their independent and extended writing skills across the curriculum. Additionally, some subjects require timely reviews to ensure that the curriculum is firmly established, allowing pupils to achieve well in all areas.
Overall, Banham Primary School provides a good quality of education, fostering a supportive and engaging environment for its pupils while recognizing the need for ongoing development in specific areas.
